{"id":81070,"date":"2023-05-04T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/?p=81070"},"modified":"2023-05-02T15:24:26","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T19:24:26","slug":"sewing-for-a-tween-boy-ericas-alvalade-trousers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2023\/05\/sewing-for-a-tween-boy-ericas-alvalade-trousers.html","title":{"rendered":"sewing for a tween boy: erica’s alvalade trousers"},"content":{"rendered":"

We love seeing our patterns sewn for tweens! It can be tough to find patterns for tweens once they have outgrown the Oliver + S size range. Erica has sewn the Alvalade Trousers<\/a> for her son, and they look great! So glad she’ll be able to use this pattern for many more years. Take it away, Erica!<\/em><\/p>\n


\n\"Young<\/a><\/p>\n

My most used Oliver + S pattern for my sons probably was the Art Museum Trousers<\/a>, so it was bittersweet a couple of years ago to realize that my oldest boy had outgrown the Oliver + S sizes. My younger son is now days away from outgrowing the largest child size. I was thrilled to learn, then, that Liesl + Co released a men\u2019s trouser pattern this spring! I jumped at the chance to try it out for my son, who will be thirteen this year. As predicted, it was a success!<\/p>\n

I used some khaki-colored fabric sent to me by a friend. It came with an assortment of home d\u00e9cor fabrics, so I\u2019m not sure if it was intended as furnishing fabric, but my son finds it to be extremely soft. It has more drape than classic chino cotton, and it was a pleasure to work with. It has a \u201cstonewashed\u201d quality to it, with a slight sanded, or moleskin, finish on the front side and even some washed, or faded, lines that are visible in color but can not be pressed out. This mystery fabric pressed well with a cotton iron setting. My son likes the casual vibe of the khaki fabric, but it also will work when he needs to be a little more dressed up. I let him pick out some remnants of quilting cotton from my stash for the pocket linings.<\/p>\n

\"Contrast<\/a><\/p>\n

Given his proportions, I made a quick muslin version before I cut into the khaki fabric.<\/p>\n

\"Muslin<\/a><\/p>\n

For this fitting version, I placed the front pocket facing piece on top of the trouser leg front pattern piece, where the pocket normally sits, so that I could cut out \u201cpocketless\u201d front trouser legs. I only cut two front legs and two back legs in his size (33\u201d waist), reducing the leg length a few inches at the lengthen\/shorten lines (around the knee area) and again around the mid-calf area. I sewed them up as quickly as a waistband-less pair of pajama pants\u2014just four seams!\u2014plus a pair of back darts. Along the front rise, I topstitch-basted a zipper along the seamline and then ripped open the seam stitches behind the zipper, allowing him to pull this test version over his hips. To our happy surprise, we decided that he didn\u2019t need any alterations except to reduce the leg length a little more. This quick version fit well enough that I opted to not test the waistband, especially knowing that it is partially elasticated. In our final version, I still kept the leg length on the longer side with the hopes that this growing boy can wear these trousers for more than a few months!<\/p>\n

I have made the Peckham Trousers before for myself, so I was already familiar with the construction, which is essentially identical to the Alvalade Trousers. I was in the mood this time to be leisurely with the finishing details, including the back welt pockets and zip fly. Sometimes I race through sewing projects just to have them completed, but other times, I enjoy taking my sweet time. When I do, I find that the slower pace allows me to enjoy the handwork aspect while refining my skills, and I\u2019m always pleased in hindsight with the tidy results.<\/p>\n

\"Side<\/a><\/p>\n

This time, I hand-basted as much as possible for the welt pockets, and I am very happy with the symmetry of the welts. I don\u2019t make welt pockets often enough to remember the order of steps off the top of my head, but Liesl + Co instructions are consistently clear.<\/p>\n

The same is true for the zip fly. I have more confidence when I follow along with Liesl\u2019s instructions to prompt me along the way, and I didn\u2019t need to touch my seam ripper for the entire project! I recently purchased a new-to-me product that is recommended for zipper installation, and I tried it for the first time on these trousers.<\/p>\n

\"Side<\/a><\/p>\n

This sticky fusible tape was great as a replacement to the step of basting \u00bc\u201d from the edge of the rise on the trouser front, and once you peel off the paper backing, this \u00bc\u201d-wide seam tape is sticky on both sides. I could \u201cbaste\u201d the first edge of the zipper with just this tape. This very thin tape is repositionable until you iron, or fuse, it in place. Then, the zipper is essentially glued in place until it is stitched in, all without the bulk of pins. Usually, I like to hand-baste my zippers into place to avoid the lumps and bumps of using pins, but this is a convenient shortcut. I still used a few pins for good measure once I was happy with the visual placement of everything before stitching the zipper fly pieces into place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Side<\/a><\/p>\n

After this great trouser-making experience for my eldest son, I would consider the Alvalade a soon-to-be TNT (\u201ctried-and-true\u201d) pattern! I can already imagine tracing off this pattern in many sizes, just as I did with the Art Museum trousers, to keep going up in size as my sons grow through their teenage years.<\/p>\n

\"Young<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Side<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Back<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Erica has sewn the Alvalade Trousers for her tween son, and they look great! Click over to see how the new tried-and-true pattern turned out.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21347,"featured_media":81112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20687],"tags":[20783,20868],"class_list":["post-81070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-advisors-circle","tag-alvalade"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Liesl-Co-Hero-Template-10.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5jZS5-l5A","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":80352,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2023\/01\/introducing-the-alvalade-mens-trousers-pattern.html","url_meta":{"origin":81070,"position":0},"title":"introducing the alvalade men’s trousers pattern","author":"Liesl Gibson","date":"January 16, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we're introducing a new pattern style for men. Meet the Alvalade Men's Trousers.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/AlvaladeCover.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":58602,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2016\/11\/holiday-sewing-for-boys.html","url_meta":{"origin":81070,"position":1},"title":"holiday sewing for boys","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"November 22, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"The countdown 'til Christmas is on. It\u2019s time to sew your holiday best and you can do that with Oliver + S sewing patterns. We have lots of ideas and inspiration for holiday sewing for boys. We\u2019ve got you covered from baby through tween.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/boysF.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":66636,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2018\/08\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-art-museum-vest-trousers.html","url_meta":{"origin":81070,"position":2},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: art museum vest + trousers","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"August 27, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Masha from The Itinerant Seamstress is here to tell us why the Oliver + S Art Museum Vest + Trousers is her favorite pattern.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/artmuseumF.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":59536,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2017\/02\/my-favorite-oliver-s-pattern-elizabeth-from-lizzieville.html","url_meta":{"origin":81070,"position":3},"title":"my favorite oliver + s pattern: elizabeth from lizzieville","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"February 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Elizabeth from lizzieville joins us today to discuss her favorite Oliver + S pattern, the Art Museum Trousers.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/artmuseumF.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":74758,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2020\/04\/our-testers-photos-of-the-montauk-trousers.html","url_meta":{"origin":81070,"position":4},"title":"our testers’ photos of the montauk trousers","author":"Masha Richart","date":"April 1, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Today we are sharing photos of our pattern testers wearing their new Montauk Trousers. We hope you enjoy seeing the pattern modeled on different shapes and made up in different fabrics.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/montaukhero.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":54321,"url":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/blog\/2016\/03\/easter-outfits-sewn-by-you.html","url_meta":{"origin":81070,"position":5},"title":"easter outfits sewn by you","author":"Rachel Le Grand","date":"March 31, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"You\u2019ve been busy whipping up beautiful Oliver + S Easter wear for your little ones, and we thought it\u2019d be fun to feature some of your hard work today.","rel":"","context":"In "general post"","block_context":{"text":"general post","link":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/list\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oliverands.com\/community\/content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/easterTITLE_SOCIAL.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21347"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81070"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81113,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81070\/revisions\/81113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oliverands.com\/community\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}